Third National Returns to Danville ... in a BIG Way

On Saturday, at 1:00 p.m., a crowd of 200 gathered at the foot of the Robertson bridge in Danville, on land recently purchased just for the purpose of erecting a Confederate memorial, to raise the THIRD Memorial Battle Flag erected in Danville since City Council voted to remove the Third National Flag from the Confederate Memorial on the grounds of the Sutherlin Mansion, the Last Capitol of the Confederacy.

A Confederate Color Guard was on hand, and we were honored to have members of the UDC, SCV, Va SCV Mechanized Cavalry, OCR, ANV Mechanized Cavalry, Southern Virginians for the Flag, and Heritage Preservation Association bring greetings.

Many thanks to Wayne and Pam Jones who drove 5 hours to join us, and be a part of the dedication ceremonies.  Wayne shared his vision for improving communication and cooperation between our heritage groups.

Our good friend Rev. Dr. Herman White gave a powerful keynote address that stirred attendees and challenged us to continue the fight, even when the odds seem overwhelming, right up to the day that Christ calls us home!

 

The highlight of any flag dedication ceremony is the moment that the flag goes up, and in this case, the crowd that had gathered was especially thrilled when it was revealed, just before it was raised, that the flag to be raised was a THIRD NATIONAL, instead of our usual Battle Flag Memorial.

 

This decision was made based on the fact that this very prominent location seemed like the perfect spot to raise a replacement flag for the one taken down just a few miles away. Instead of a small, 3x5 flag, tucked away at a museum, there is now a huge flag, flying on a 30' pole, at one of the biggest intersections in Danville.

The second surprise of the day was revealed when attendees were told we were actually going to raise TWO flags that day....and we headed across the river for the SECOND flag dedication of the day!
This site, on the 29 Bypass - Danville Expressway, is another GREAT location, and the memorial flag will be seen by thousands every day.

At this ceremony, the landowner had asked to make some remarks and I was moved to tears when he poured out his heart, shared his testimony, spoke of his deep and abiding love for our Confederate heroes, and spoke of the great cloud of witnesses that were watching and cheering us on that day.

For the second time that afternoon, the crowd cheered as the banner of our fathers was lifted high and secured to fly for all to see for years to come.

 

This lady lives next door to the 29 Bypass/Danville Expressway site. She came down for the ceremony, and then asked for a shirt.  She told us she would keep an eye on the flag and would not let anyone touch it!

View from the Expressway:

In her remarks, Susan Hathaway mentioned the fact that there had been criticism from some of the Confederate haters in Danville, claiming that those of us who do not live in Danville are "outsiders" and therefore we should "stay out of their business". She assured all those in attendance that as daughters and sons of the South, the Last Capitol of the Confederacy belongs to ALL of us, and that we remain firm in our commitment to stand with our brothers and sisters in Danville and fight along side them until the flag is returned to the Memorial.

It was an absolutely beautiful day in Danville, filled with sunshine, wonderful people, the blessings of Almighty God, and a chance to make a powerful and lasting statement in memory and honor of our Confederate Ancestors.

As we reflect on the HUNDREDS of people whose support and hard work made it all possible, we thank God for each and every person he has placed in our lives to make it a reality, and to help prepare us all...for such a time as this!

The 29 Bypass Memorial Battle Flag is the FOURTH roadside flag raised in Danville in less than a month, and the 11th raised in the Commonwealth by the Virginia Flaggers since September, 2013. Each flag raised is a living, breathing memorial to our Confederate Soldiers and Veterans€¦ and a 24/7 reminder to ALL who see her that there are still those of us with Confederate blood flowing through our veins who will no longer sit idly by while our history , heritage, and the honor of the Confederate soldier is attacked.  Watch the horizon, there are many more to come...

FANTASTIC news coverage/video here:

http://www.wset.com/story/29915052/va-flaggers-raise-more-confederate-flags-in-danville


Va Flaggers